Child Support Enforcement Posts Record Collections

Lincoln - The Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program in the Department of Health and Human Services collected a record-breaking $204 million during fiscal year 2011, which ended June 30, 2011. This is an increase of $3.49 million over fiscal year 2010.

“Children should be able to depend on both their parents for emotional and economic stability,” said Todd Reckling, director of the Division of Children and Family Services. “I believe most people want to honor their commitment, and child support is one of the best tools to prevent children from living in poverty.”

More than 36 percent of the collections ($129 million) came through wage withholding, which is one of the best methods for setting up payments. Another $11.2 million came from federal tax intercepts.

If support isn’t paid, CSE can garnish wages, suspend drivers, recreational and professional licenses, prevent an individual from obtaining a passport, and intercept tax refunds or lottery winnings.

“Those are useful tools, but the focus is on getting the best results possible for children,” Reckling said. “Our child support professionals do some very important work to ensure children get the resources they need to succeed in life.”

CSE can help with locating parents and establishing paternity, establishing and modifying child and medical support orders, and enforcing child, spousal and medical support orders.

A toll-free Customer Service Call Center at 877/631-9973 (402/441-8715 in Lincoln) serves as the gateway to questions about payment of child support. An automated response is available at all times, with the option to speak to a customer service representative on business days from 7:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Central Standard time. Information is also available at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/children_family_services/CSE/Pages/CSEHome.aspx.